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In the wake of protests, vandals target ATMs

Protests have taken center stage as people throughout the world call for justice in the May 25 death of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer. Several ATM machines in a variety of cities were damaged and robbed when some peaceful protests turned violent.

In the wake of protests, vandals target ATMsphoto provided by iStock


| by Pat Shea — Editor, NetworldMedia

Since the death of George Floyd, a black man who died on May 25 when a white police officer in Minneapolis knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes, news of protests, violence, looting and unrest have erupted across the country and the world.

As crowds took to the streets in several communities' ATMs became a prime target for theft and destruction.

Philadelphia, PA

In the Kensington district of North Central Philadelphia Tuesday night, a 24-year old man was fatally injured while using explosives to blow up an ATM machine, according to CBS3 Philadelphia. When the device was triggered, an explosion rocked the neighborhood, spewing flames and smoke and throwing the man to the ground where he sustained serious injuries. He was transported to a local hospital where he later died. His identity has not yet been released.

Police reported the device never penetrated the ATMs safe, but they did recover additional live explosives at the scene. The police are investigating if the man was also linked to the destruction of approximately 30 additional ATMs Tuesday night. In some cases, explosives had been used to break into the machines and an indeterminant amount of money was stolen. 

"We believe that it is organized efforts and coordinated efforts as well," said Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw regarding the ATM destruction.

The news report captured two separate instances where explosives were used to break into an ATM. No suspects have yet been identified.

St. Louis, MO

St. Louis police were called to investigate two ATM break-ins Tuesday night as reported by KMOV4 TV news. Money was reported stolen from one ATM.

The city had instituted a 9 p.m. curfew, and officials said it may have helped deter additional vandalism and violence.  

Providence, RI

On Tuesday evening in Providence, Rhode Island, vandals destroyed an ATM at the Rhode Island Convention Center, according to WJAR10.

Larry Lepore, the general manager for the convention center, said the CCTV footage showed a group of 15 people in the center's lobby before they broke through two front glass doors and tried to remove the ATM. The ATM screen dangled by a cable, but it is not clear if money was stolen.

Louisville, KY

A Chase Bank ATM machine in West Louisville was vandalized on Tuesday evening, as reported by WAVE3 TV news.

The vandals first used crowbars on the ATM and then resorted to firing several rounds of gunfire at the machine. The vandals left the scene with cash, but a bystander filmed the robbery through the fence with a cellphone. The cellphone video was shared with both the television station and the police, but the suspects could not be identified.

Montgomery, AL

On Monday evening a Wells Fargo Bank ATM machine on Atlanta Highway in Montgomery was vandalized, according to WSFA 12 TV News.

"Some Wells Fargo ATMs in Alabama sustained damage in recent days, including our Bell Road branch ATM in Montgomery," Michael H. Gray, the assistant vice president, corporate communications for Wells Fargo's Florida & Southeast regions, said in the television interview. "Our top priority is the safety and well-being of our customers and team members. We are assessing damage and coordinating with appropriate authorities."

Police received two additional calls regarding ATM damage early Tuesday morning.

In both instances, investigators found the ATMs vandalized, but no money had been taken, and no suspects have been identified.

Police said the vandalism coincided with local protests over the death of George Floyd.

ATM Marketplace spoke with ATM Industry Association on the vandalism.  "In the cities that are experiencing violent unrest, this is certainly breaking the lull in criminal activity that our industry has seen during the pandemic lockdown," said David Tente, executive director, USA, Canada and Americas. "Unfortunately, many of those establishments are small businesses that were already hurting from the pandemic and now may not be covered by insurance for this type of loss. Although we have not yet received any hard data on the extent of ATM and cash losses, it definitely adds to the challenges now facing our industry." 


Pat Shea

Pat Shea is the editor of ATM Marketplace. Pat has been an editor and writer in mass market and trade publishing for more than 25 years. She has won press awards for her newspaper reporting and feature writing in corporate communication publications.

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